Editorial: With boom comes watchful eyes on Midland

Published 12:26 pm, Sunday, December 1, 2013

It has been a long time since Midland has found itself under the microscope as its does currently.

In our Sunday edition, we provided the most recent reporting that featured our fair community. It won’t be the last.

In years past, a writer from around the state or country came to Midland to write about a community in a bust. They typically began their tales with cliche leads about activity at Wall Street Bar and Grill or the Petroleum Club.

Today, the writers are returning, and if this weekend’s article is any indication, the rust is coming off the equipment and conditions related to the downtown and this city have dramatically changed.

What is being reported by other publications will not come as a shock to most Midlanders. We offer certain articles as reminders that other people are watching this capital of the West Texas oil patch. And if people are watching, we can do better than just being on our best behavior. We recognize this as an opportunity for Midland and its residents to show what a community our size can do even with the greatest of challenges in front of us. And we can do so with limited government where necessary and innovative leadership when applicable.

These are times of great expectations, and if articles from the Wall Street Journal, McClatchy News Service or Dallas Morning News are any indication, the rest of the nation is definitely watching.

So now that we know the eyes of Texas and others are upon us, here is a laundry list of things we would like to see happen.

1. Let’s give more to charity. The United Way’s fundraising campaign is the ultimate indication of how much Midland gives. It is time for Midlanders to donate and push that United Way total to more than $4 million (the agency’s best year is just more than $3.5 million). Other communities would take notice.

2. Energy Tower can’t get out of hand. It is imperative that should Energy Tower be built -- and at this point it is in the hands of Energy Related Properties -- the city must require every step go as planned and the opportunities for potential embarrassment are eliminated.

3. The next school bond must be representative of what Midland should be. This isn’t an endorsement of Midland voters passing a bond that could be more than three times the largest in the city’s history ($163 million). It means putting up a school bond and delivering a campaign that doesn’t replicate efforts going back more than a decade when Midlanders voted against the bond. Midlanders aren’t against education. Throwing more ammunition for those writing about our community isn’t needed.

4. Fix the traffic problems. Our traffic lights are not synchronized, and the perception is that city leaders have sat on their hands while Midlanders have been stuck in traffic. Let’s produce a traffic plan with realistic solutions that get Midlanders to work and home much quicker.

5. Time for government entities to work together. We have stated that now, more than ever, it is imperative that government entities show imagination to fix our community’s problems. Roads comes to mind here. We don’t believe the interests of some should get in the way of the community as a whole.

6. A foundation for a better Midland. We hear plans of a Midland First group and are excited about the collaboration and planning that we believe it will provide. We have said the foundations can be a tool to make things happen -- helping with housing for MISD employees is one such instance where we see them stepping in and making a difference. We want to see that continue, and if there is a situation where they can partner with oil companies and government to have an even bigger impact, we will be the biggest supporter.

7. Love your neighbor as yourself. There are so many occasions where the second of God’s greatest commandments can be put into effect in your daily life. This, in our view, is our moment, and we recommend Midlanders use this opportunity to show those who have come to our city the kind of city Midland is. It comes across in how you drive, how you go out of your way to help someone else, or how when faced with something or someone different, you show a side that makes others more comfortable.